Filigree and Fur by @meganslayer #gay #gayromance #wolfshifter #billiondollarwolf @pridepublishing

 

 

Filigree and Fur By Megan Slayer

Book 3 in the Billion Dollar Wolf series

Paranormal M/M Contemporary Romance

Novella

Pride Publishing

 

Two lone wolves finding common threads and love.

Grove Meade likes his computers and his solitary life. He can come and go as he pleases and only answers to the pack leaders when they need his specialized skills. He won’t deny he’s one lonely wolf, but love isn’t in his future, right? When he meets CJ Johns, everything changes and his world is just a bit too small.

CJ Johns has seen a lot in his life—the death of his family, the destruction of his pack and the loss of pack lands. He’s determined not to let those devastations get him down, but when he’s forced to live off the land that’s not even his, his spirits sink. He can’t even convince his wolf to come forward. The one bright spot in his life is Grove. He knows little about the fellow wolf shifter, but he’s smitten.

When a problem from CJ’s past threatens his future, it’s up to CJ and Grove to decide whether they want the blossoming feelings between them to last or fade like the winter snow.

 

Reader advisory: This book contains mentions of a sexual predator, coercion, murder, homophobia, and non-nurturing parenting.

 

https://www.firstforromance.com/book/filigree-and-fur

https://books2read.com/u/3181xr

https://books.apple.com/us/book/filigree-and-fur/id6449472286

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C6C9ZMZW?tag=

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/filigree-and-fur-1

 

EXCERPT:

©Megan Slayer, 2023, All Rights Reserved

 

“I meant what I said. I want to hire you,” Grove said. “We’ll get your stuff and you’ll live with me. I need someone to handle a few tasks for me.”

“What kind of tasks?” CJ asked between bites.

“Don’t want the job?”

“I do, but I’d like to know what I’m doing before I accept.” CJ stuffed a piece of bacon into his mouth.

“Cleaning up, some laundry, stuff like that,” he said. “Are you interested? I’ll give you a place to live and clothes, plus food and internet. You’ll be able to do your artwork, too.”

CJ ate a bit more and seemed to mull over the opportunity. “You’re not afraid of me? I shift.”

“So do I.” He thought they’d established that they were both wolves.

“Oh yeah.” CJ put his fork down. “I’m so used to dealing with people who are just humans, not shifters. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He cut up his salad. “How long has it been since your last shift?”

“Six months.” CJ finished the bacon. “Do you shift a lot?”

“I’ve tried to tamp down my wolf.” That sounded so silly. Why restrain the wolf? He had a power few others had and he didn’t seem to want it.

“I did, too. If no one knew, then no one would try to kill me.”

“Well, if you come with me, I’ll protect you. Promise. You’ll have space to relax, exist and run if you want to shift in return for hard work.”

CJ cut his burger in half. “You’re serious?”

“Deadly. I can’t let you get hurt in the elements and since you don’t have a pack, you’ll need protection. You should be part of a pack and we have space. Why not join us? I can help you and I want to.”

CJ rested his hands on his lap “I do want to belong.” He hesitated. “Can I leave at any time?”

“If you want to.” He didn’t see why that should happen, but he’d give CJ his freedom if he so chose.

“Can I bring my pet?”

“Pet?” A wolf shifter with a pet? “What kind?”

“My cat.” CJ didn’t move. “I can’t leave her behind.”

“Sure.” He’d never had a pet and wasn’t sure how hard it’d be, but he’d give it a try. “I’ll ensure you’ve got supplies for her, too.”

CJ nodded. “Then I’ll work for you. I’ll put in honest work for honest pay.”

It wasn’t the most eloquent way to put it, but he didn’t care. “Then we’ve got a deal.”

CJ frowned. “It’s starting to rain harder.”

“Sure is.” He nodded to the food. “Why don’t we get it to go and we’ll eat at my place? We’ll retrieve your things and your cat, then head to where it’s safe.”

CJ’s smile returned. “Deal.”

 

Not Retired, Just Rewriten: My Leap into Full-Time Writing by Keri Kruspe

 

This year, approximately 4.1 million Americans are crossing the significant milestone of reaching retirement age, a time traditionally viewed as the juncture for winding down one's professional endeavors.

However, trust me to take a break from convention. Instead of slowing down, I'm embracing this pivotal moment not as a finale but a chance to take a leap forward. In this article I’m going to get a little personal. I’ll share my journey of trading in the security of my secular job to pursue a passion that's been driving me for the last five years. Something that’s been simmering deep inside me since I was in my preteen years. Living the life of a full-time author.

Join me as I navigate the transformative phase of redefining 'retirement' and embarking on what promises to be the most fulfilling chapter of my life yet. But first, I’d like to take a quick look back at the last sixty years and the events I lived through. While I’m only giving one important event that shaped each decade personally and overall, it gives you a taste of what helped shape my life.

1960's

Civil Rights Movement:

This was a pivotal series of events aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and securing legal recognition and federal protection of the citizenship rights enumerated in the Constitution and federal law.

Personal:

The moon landing. Even though I was a young child, I remember sitting with my family in front of the black-and-white TV and mesmerized by the blurry images.

1970's

Watergate Scandal:

A major political scandal that occurred following a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.

Personal:

Ah, puberty and the teenage years. In high school, I was a nerd, complete with red hair, glasses, and freckles, and couldn’t care less about politics. I was on the yearbook staff and part of the literary club. Right after high school, I met and married my bubby, giving birth to my first child.

1980's

End of the Cold War:

Although the process was complex and stretched over the decade, significant events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolize the end of the Cold War, leading to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Personal:

Gave birth to my second child. Started a career in banking and spent the decade moving up the ranks, reaching Assistant Manager. My hubby and I bought our first home to raise our children.

1990's

The Internet Revolution:

The decade saw the commercial rise of the internet, transforming business practices and society, and leading to the dot-com bubble. It profoundly changed the way we communicate, access information, and do business.

 

Personal:

Gave birth to my last child. Became a VP in the bank with over 300 employees – then got laid off after 21 years with the same company. The 90’s were a time of growth for me. After fourteen years, my hubby and I got divorced.

2000's

September 11 Attacks:

In 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon had a profound impact on the nation, leading to significant changes in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, including the War on Terror and the introduction of the USA PATRIOT Act. I was actually 2000 miles away from home in a training session. Took me a week to get home.

 

Personal:

Began dating hubby, making sure I took it slow and easy. We eventually remarried (still together today… our relationship stronger than ever!). Worked at various financial institutions in several different capacities. 

2010's

Rise of Social Media and Smartphones:

While not a single event, this decade was marked by the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media, significantly impacting social interaction, politics, and information dissemination.

Personal:

Moved from Nevada to Michigan. Worked for several banks and credit unions. Towards the end of the decade, I published my first book.

2020's (so far)

COVID-19 Pandemic:

The outbreak and global spread of the coronavirus in early 2020 led to massive changes in daily life, economic downturns, and a reevaluation of global health infrastructure.

Personal:

Like those 4.1 million Americans I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I reached retirement age this year. Grabbing the opportunity with both hands, I handed in my notice at the bank and am looking forward to making my writing career profitable.

To quote a famous American, Martin Luther King Jr:

"Free at last, thank God almighty, I'm free at last!"